Page 137

DEKE

Everyone is here. What started out as brunch turned into a family barbecue with all my brothers and sisters.

Of course, two of the six women are pregnant, so they’re the only ones not three sheets to the wind.

That doesn’t stop Mom from badgering the hell out of us, asking if we’d be coming back to Florida permanently.

“Mom, you may not remember this come tomorrow, so, Dad, please be the voice of reason later on. Kels has a business in Alabama. Hart Construction is thriving in the same area. Why would we want to uproot ourselves? And Kelsey, she loves her sister, Emily, who’s hell on wheels but a lot of fun, and her parents are there.

” I met Em a few times picking up Kelsey.

The girl is a riot, full of energy, keeping you on your toes while being fiercely loyal to her older sister.

“I have to agree with Deke. We’re in the black already for the new Alabama office.

I’ve heard from sub-contractors; they’re happy with what Deke has done so far.

I’m giving him a few more months before we’ll be hiring out complete office staff.

It’s hard on Leena to keep up with both offices and be hours away while doing so.

” I knew things were going okay. We weren’t in any kind of delays, and sure, I can be a hard-ass when it comes to getting a job done.

It’s not like I sit around, talking to everyone I come in contact with, so it’s nice to hear that things are going well financially as well as with other companies.

“Fuck, that’s awesome. Proud of you, baby brother,” Asa states.

Just like I told Kelsey and Montana, we’re all good now.

Speaking of, it seems the mimosas along with the food have worked their way into Kels’ system.

My eyes move to where she’s lying on a lounge by the pool with Marlie and Alana, laughing her ass off.

Marlie is talking, and there’s my woman.

Her mouth is open, eyes closed, and arms above her head.

“Well, this has been fun, but Mom, you’ve gotten Kelsey completely smashed, and if I don’t get her out of the sun, she’ll be burnt to a crisp.” I get up from my chair and start to pick up the empty cups and bottles, taking them to the trash on my way to Kels.

“Oh, whatever. Don’t give me any of that.

From what I’ve heard, you both are running on little to no sleep, staying holed up in your condo, which, if you’re going to keep a place down here, you’ll need to hire a new cleaning service.

They’re slacking, probably because they know you aren’t really living there anymore,” Leena implies.

She’s been pacing herself. The same can’t be said for Kelsey and Mom.

“I’ll work on that. Thanks for looking out for me.” I’m dumping everything in the trash when Mom decides to pipe up.

“That’s fine. Your father has been wanting to find an investment property. Maybe we’ll look in Alabama.” Keller snickers. As if Jace would ever let them leave for a long period of time.

“Sure, I’ll keep my eye out if anything comes up.

” It’ll be far, far away from where Kelsey’s small beach house is located.

No way in hell would I ever want them in a neighbor capacity.

It’s not that I don’t love them, because I do, but there’s a fine line, especially when it comes to Mom.

If they did live close to her, Mom would for sure be over every day, badgering Kelsey about kids, asking me about when we’re going to tie the knot, relentlessly at that.

“Joyce, don’t go getting your feathers ruffled.

I said an investment property, not one that we’d live in.

One that we’d rent out through one of those apps our financial advisor suggested.

” Dad winks at me, knowing what I was thinking all along.

Of course, they both wouldn’t mind seeing me settled down, married, and adding to the grandkid clan.

“You’re no fun. At least let me see him squirm, Bob,” Mom responds, champagne flute in her hand.

“I think you’ll beg to differ tonight.” A chorus of ewws , gross , and such is surrounding us. I take that as my cue to leave, wake up sleeping beauty, put a pulse on how she’s feeling and if we should head back to the condo or drive home tonight.

I’m at the foot of the lounge chair, soaking up Kelsey wearing a sundress, this one without the cut-outs or ties, strapless and flowing to the floor, hair down in a messy sort of way.

“Hey, Deke.” Kels’ eyes open slowly, a yawn sneaking from her.

“Take a good nap, sunshine?” I ask, smiling, moving closer until my hand can cup her hip.

“I guess so. Your mom should come with a warning label. I’m telling you; I’ve had many brunches with Emily where we do mimosa flights, and none of them have ever hit me like today’s.

” I don’t make a statement. This was bound to happen.

It’s almost like this is Mom’s rite of passage when it comes to us bringing a woman into the fold.

“Yeah, she’s a force to be reckoned with. You want to spend the night here or head back home?” I ask.

“Shit, my head is spinning on its axis. I think we better stay in town tonight. Emily is opening tomorrow, then it’s on me the rest of the week.

” That works out for me. Not that I feel guilty with waking her up on the mornings she has off.

I don’t think Kelsey cares either; she’s not one to complain when my head is between her legs.

“Alright, let’s go say our goodbyes and get you into bed.

” I help her stand up, trying not to laugh as she sways into my side.

She’ll will be hurting tomorrow, if not later today.

I guess I’ll be the one holding her hair if that happens.

The things you do for the woman you love.

Maybe one day, I’ll be doing it for an entirely different reason, and I like the idea of that.